Kiowa sheriff’s office raids marijuana growing operation

Two people were arrested Saturday morning after the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office discovered an estimated 1,200 marijuana plants while executing a search warrant at a home in Haswell.

“This is a very sophisticated operation,” said Sheriff Forrest Frazee. “Plants are lined up in various stages of growth, with the largest being about 3 feet tall. None were in bloom yet.”

He said that the two people, who are not believed to be Colorado residents, are thought to have lived at the location for about two months. Their names and a full list of charges have not yet been released.

Recreational use and sales of marijuana became legal a few days ago, but laws and regulations apply to growing the drug for commercial sales or personal use. Despite the recent change in state law, marijuana remains a controlled substance at the federal level.

The sheriff’s office has requested assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.